For the Consumer

In addition to its needed effects, some unwanted effects may be caused by dolasetron (the active ingredient contained in Anzemet). In the event that any of these side effects do occur, they may require medical attention.

You should check with your doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur when taking dolasetron:

More common

Chest pain or discomfort

lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

slow or irregular heartbeat

unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Chills

decrease in the amount of urine

fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse

fever

Rare

Agitation

black, tarry stools

bleeding gums

bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet

blood in the urine or stools

blurred vision

burning while urinating

changes in skin color

confusion

cough

delirium

depression

diarrhea

difficult or labored breathing

difficult or painful urination

difficulty with swallowing

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

feeling of warmth

feeling uncoordinated

frequent urination

hallucinations

headache

hives or welts, itching, or skin rash

increased volume of pale, dilute urine

irritability

lethargy

muscle twitching

nausea

noisy breathing

numbness and tingling of the face, fingers, or toes

pain in the arms, legs, or lower back, especially pain in the calves or heels upon exertion

pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg

pale skin

pale, bluish-colored, or cold hands or feet

pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

rapid weight gain

red skin

rigid muscles

seizures

sweating

swelling of the face, ankles, or hands

tightness in the chest

tingling of the hands or feet

tremor

troubled breathing with exertion

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual weight gain or loss

vomiting

weak or absent pulses in the legs

Some of the side effects that can occur with dolasetron may not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine during treatment these side effects may go away. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to reduce or prevent some of these side effects. If any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome or if you have any questions about them, check with your health care professional:

Less common

Belching

heartburn

indigestion

pain

stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

Rare

Abnormal dreams

bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste

bloating

bloody nose

change in taste

changes in vision

continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears

darkened urine

difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

difficulty seeing at night

difficulty with moving

feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

feeling of unreality

hearing loss

increased sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight

increased sweating

joint pain

loss of appetite

muscle aching or cramping

muscle pain or stiffness

pain or burning sensation at the injection site

pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back

redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest

sensation of spinning

sense of detachment from self or body

shakiness and unsteady walk

shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet

swollen joints

unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination

weight loss

yellow eyes or skin

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to dolasetron: intravenous solution, oral tablet

General

In general, side effects have included fever (4.3%), fatigue (3.6%), pain (2.4%), and chills/shivering (2.0%).

In some controlled clinical trials, dolasetron (the active ingredient contained in Anzemet) was tested for use in the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with moderately-emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (CINV). Patients in these trials primarily received concurrent high-dose cisplatin. In other controlled trials, dolasetron was tested for use patients for the prevention or treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). For many of the effects listed below, whether the patient received concurrent chemotherapy was not specified in the literature.[Ref]

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects including headaches (9.4% to 24.3%), lightheadedness (13%), and dizziness (2.2% to 5.5%) have been reported. Flushing, vertigo, paresthesia, and tremor have been reported infrequently. Ataxia and twitching have been reported rarely.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included appetite (12% to 26.6%), diarrhea (6.0% to 12.4%), nausea (6.3% to 7%), abdominal pain (3.2%), and constipation (3.2%). Dyspepsia, abdominal pain, and anorexia have been reported infrequently. Pancreatitis has also been reported rarely.[Ref]

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have included abnormal hepatic function (3.6%) including transient increases in AST (SGOT) and/or ALT (SGPT) (less than 1%). Hyperbilirubinemia and increased GGT have been reported rarely.[Ref]

Increases in AST and ALT did not appear to be related to dose or duration of therapy, and were not associated with symptomatic hepatic disease.[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Similarly, results of a review of the cardiovascular effects of the drug class 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptor antagonists in the literature reported that electrocardiographic (ECG) changes were so small to be considered clinically insignificant. ECG changes were most noticeable between 1 to 2 hours after a dose of dolasetron (the active ingredient contained in Anzemet) and returned to baseline within 24 hours. To date, no serious cardiac side effects (including torsades de pointes) triggered by ECG interval changes have been connected with the use of 5-HT 3 receptor antagonists.[Ref]

Ocular

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included hematuria, epistaxis, prolonged prothrombin time, increased PTT, anemia, purpura/hematoma, and thrombocytopenia.[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects have rarely included anaphylactic reaction, facial edema, and urticaria.[Ref]

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects have rarely included increased alkaline phosphatase.[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have rarely included myalgia and arthralgia.[Ref]

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects have rarely included nervousness (3.2%). Agitation, sleep disorder, and depersonalization have been reported infrequently. Confusion, anxiety, and abnormal dreaming have been reported rarely.[Ref]

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have rarely included dyspnea and bronchospasm.[Ref]

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have rarely included dysuria and polyuria.[Ref]

Renal

Renal side effects including acute renal failure have been reported.

Other

Other side effects including taste perversion have been reported infrequently. Tinnitus has been reported rarely.[Ref]

Professional resources

Related treatment guides

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